The History of the Eagles: A Viewer’s Guide

A few months ago – during one of those “free trial” weekends – I came across the extensive new documentary about everyone’s favorite SoCal country-rock group, The Eagles. Like most everyone born post-1980, my only real connection through them was through classic rock radio and my parents spinning their second greatest hits album (because, as GH albums should, it is their greatest work. Plus, who didn’t have that album).

I am such a homer for music docs. Even if I have a marginal interest in the band I get sucked into the story. The who, what, and why behind how different artists and bands did what they did. The new Eagles doc did just that – it opened a curtain and put everything out on the table. It was obvious, both due to the length and detail of the flick, that this was aimed straight at the diehards. Those who could name the guitarist before Joe Walsh (Bernie Leadon) and owned every Glenn Frey solo album.

Recently, Bill Simmons wrote an excellent overview of the documentary (since the NBA season is over) and expertly described 20 key moments and themes he noticed after five intense viewings.He actually only watched Part 1 five times, he explains why in the piece.

My favorite Simmons-ism about the Tao of Joe Walsh:

Walsh’s most underrated strength? He has a knack for capturing the band’s problems and pressures in the most Joe Walshian ways. For instance …

Joe Walsh on fame: “The first thing that happens is that you get some kind of label, and you gotta live up in it, and you just get caught up in that, and I forget what the second thing is.”